Swingable support device



0,1 70 m-ucoeli j- 3,494,666

SWINGABIQIE SUPPORT DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1968 FIE--2, FIE- 3 INVENTOR-ARNO M. JACOB! Arrmevs I .sz mdt v United States Patent US. Cl. 297-4266 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A church kneeler or like article offurniture adapted to swing from a substantially horizontal supportingposition to a generally out-of-the-way vertical position, which isespecially constructed for attachment to pews or other furniture havingrelatively narrow legs. The kneeler is held through a plurality ofsupport plates and associated pivotal arms and each assembly contains astop means for limiting rotation of the pivot, and each stop means isformed with one part on the support plate and another part on thepivotal arm and rotatable therewith so that contact of the two elementswill provide the limit position. The stop means are also formed in ageneral vertical alignment with and close to the pivot so as to presenta pleasing appearance when mounted on a relatively narrow leg. Thedevice is particularly adapted to church kneelers and other devices,which are provided with damping means for damping the movement of thedevice as it approaches the limit of travel in both directions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toimprovements in a swingable support device, and more particularly to aswingable device adapted to swing between two terminal positions such asa church kneeler.

It is well known to provide articles of furniture such as churchkneelers where a support surface is used temporarily in one position andthen moved pivotally to an out-of-the-way or storage position when notin use. Considerable effort has been expended in developing devices ofthis character, which operates smoothly and swing in dampened fashiontoward each of the terminal positions. Examples of such devices are tobe found in my prior United States Patent Nos. 3,107,122, 3,190,695 and3,273,938. These patented and other kneeler constructions have beendeveloped so as to be removable from the pews and installable on oldpews. The device is generally mounted through a support plate which isheld by screws or the like in the desired location on the face of thepew leg so as to orient the kneeler in the proper operative position.While these structures have been eminently satisfactory, they have beendesigned particularly for use on pew legs that have relatively largesurfaces and on which large support plates can be mounted in "aninclined position. In addition, means for limiting the upper positionhave been provided at a distance remote from the pivot and considerablyolf-set from the vertical thereto. However, it is sometimes desirable tomount kneelers on pews having relatively narrow legs such as metal legsand to equip such pews with improved kneelers. It is also desirable toprovide leeway in the design of new pews, so as to effect a saving inwood and present a more modern or difierent appearance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION From the foregoing discussion, it is seenthat a primary object of the present invention is the provision of achurch kneeler suitable for simple and effective mounting on relativelynarrow pew legs, so as to present a comparatively narrow verticalsupport structure, while at the same time providing satisfactorystructures to insure terminal positions, one at a horizontal positionand the other at a slightly forwardly inclined position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a church kneeler orsimilar swingable support device of the character described in which arelatively narrow and strong mounting can be effected in combinationwith means for dampening the movement of the swinging device toward eachterminal position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a swingablesupport device of the character described, which is economic inconstruction, and reliable in operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thespecification proceeds, and the new and novel features of the swingablesupport device will be fully defined in the claims attached hereto.

In its broad form, the invention embraces the use of a modified supportplate which is formed to fit a relatively narrow pew leg in verticalorientation, while at the same time providing its component of the stopmeans in said vertical position in cooperation with a correspondingcomponent of the stop means carried on the swingable structure. Inaddition, this support plate is preferably formed to carry a suitableauxiliary damping means in the proper orientation, and yet retain itssubstantially vertical configuration. More particularly, the modifiedsupport plate provides for a change of location of the elements of thestop means so as to achieve the improved function. Where dampening armsare provided, the modified support plate also provides a change inlocation of the pivot point of the dampening arms so as to present apleasing appearance and retain the full strength. Accordingly, theimprovement described herein is achieved without in any way detractingfrom the operation and normal function of the desired device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The preferred form of the invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of thisapplication, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective rear view of a church bench having akneeler attached thereto in accordance with the invention, the kneelerbeing shown in an upright position on the left side and in a horizontalposition on the right side of the figure;

FIGURE 2, an enlarged, vertical section taken substantially on the planeof line 22 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3, an end elevational view of the portion of the device shown inFIGURE 2 substantially as seen in the plane indicated by the line 33thereof.

While only the preferred form of the invention is shown, it should beunderstood that various changes or modifications may be made within thescope of the claims hereto attached, without departing from the spiritof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawing indetail, FIGURE 1 illustrates the general arrangment in rear view of achurch bench 11 having two aligned sections 12 and 13, with each of saidsections 12 and 13 constructed to carry a kneeler 14. The church bench11, here shown, is illustrated with six relatively narrow legs 16, andthe two kneelers 14 are supported between adjacent pairs of legs 16thereof.

As here shown, the kneelers each comprise an elongated cushion 17extending through the full length of each section, two kneeler legs 18for each section adapted for supporting the cushion horizontally behindthe bench, said kneeler legs providing support at an elevation suitablefor kneeling, a pair of support plates adapted to fit on each of anadjacent pair of supporting legs 16 of the bench, and a pair of arms 21appropriately fastened to the cushion 17 and pivotally mounted to thesupport plates 19 through appropriate connecting hardware such as thebrace 22. While the arms and braces are shown as separate elements, itwill be appreciated that they may be integrally connected in a singlepart, but of similar configuration to that shown and described below.

In the embodiment herein illustrated, the support plate 19 is in theform of an elongated plate, having a pivot pin 23 integrally associatedtherewith and extending into a hub 24 of the brace 22 to accommodaterelatively pivotal movement. The brace also contains a post 26 locatedbelow the pivot point, with the post 26 having a rubber collar 27serving as a shock absorber. The support plate 19 is secured to a leg 16through screws 28 an any other suitable fastening means, and it will beseen in FIGURE 2 that the support plate fits generally along thevertical of the leg so as to blend therewith while providing a strongconstruction.

The brace 22 is secured to arm 21 of the kneeler through a pair of bolts29 or like fasteners, one of which is secured at the pivot position tothe main hub of the brace, and the other is secured to an extension 31thereof. The hub portion 24 of the brace 22 also contains a proiection32 equipped with a suitable cushion 33 made of rubber or the like, withthe projection serving as a stop.

The projection 32 and the post 26 cooperate together to form stop meanslimiting the upward and forward travel of the kneeler 17 so as to limitits forward travel. In this way, the stop means also holds the kneelerin the upper position because of a slight forward incline of thekneeler, or because of urging by the damping means, or both.

It will be observed, that the stop means provides and positivelyprevents forward movement of the kneeler, and it is formed to actsubstantially alone. Accordingly, it is important to provide ratherstrong stop means which are capable of holding rather strong forces atthe end of the lever arm involved. For this reason, it is preferred touse steel or the like for the posts and projections or equivalentstructures providing the contacting surfaces at the limit position. Hardrubber cushions are utilized to minimize noise and wear and the like. Byutilizing relatively strong parts, of suitable dimensions, it is foundthat absolutely reliable stop means is provided in spite of the shortlever arm and that the device is positively reliable in maintaining thetop terminal position.

The preferred embodiment here shown also includes damping means 34 whichis in the form of a special cylinder and piston structure connected atone end to an ear 36 of the brace and at the otherend to the arm 21 ofthe kneeler near the end remote from the pivot. This damping means isequipped with a spring and hydraulic system and is constructed to assistin driving the kneeler toward each terminal position and maintaining itthere, while at the same time slowing down the movement toward theterminal position. In this way, easy operation of the kneeler isprovided while slamming and the accompanying noises caused thereby isprevented. Since the damping means is a rather special structure, it isimportant that it be protected against over movement of the kneeler, andthe stop means herein described also serves to protect the damping meansas well as positively fix the terminal position.

In the device here shown, the kneeler is also equipped with a springbetween the hub 24 of the brace 22 and pivot pin 23 of support plate 19in order toassist in overcoming the .gravational force and allowingeasier lifting of the kneeler from the horizontal position. Theparticular hub structure and the damping means herein utilized andillustrated is the same as that shown and described in my United StatesPatent No. 3,190,695, and a more detailed description of these parts maybe found by referring to that patent. However, it will be appreciatedthat e p al CO StIIIGtiQn herein shown is suitable for mounting variousdifferent kneelers on narrow pew legs,

and the showing of the embodiment in the drawing is being made only forthe purpose of illustrating the preferred form of the invention.However, it will be appreciated that the invention provides specialutility in combination with these known structures when used withrelatively narrow pew legs or the like.

It will also be appreciated that while the invention has been describedin detail for church kneelers, that it may be utilized for any item offurniture such as a tray where similar movement from a horizontal to arelatively vertical position is desirable, and where the moving item isto be attached to relatively narrow supports as herein illustrated. Insuch cases, a second terminal stop means may be needed for thehorizontal limit, which limit is provided in church pews by the contactof the kneeler legs and the floor.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that I have provided animproved swingable support device suitable for attachment to relativelynarrow legs, yet which provides for limits to terminal positions in areliable manner utilizing a minimum of parts.

I claim:

1. A kneeler pivotally mounted through a plurality of arms for swingingmovement between two end positions including movement from a normallysubstantially horizontal position through a slightly obtuse angle to aposition slightly inclined from the vertical, comprising an elongatedsupport plate formed to fit on a surface of a relatively narrow pew leg,

a brace carried on an arm of the kneeler,

pivot mounting means on said support plate formed to fit the brace forpivotally mounting the kneeler on said support plate, and

stop means on said support plate and on the brace formed for limitingthe degree of pivot of the kneeler;

said stop means comprising a post carried on the support plate below thepivot position, and

a lug on the brace formed to rotate with the brace and associatedkneeler arm,

with the lug and post oriented so that the lug moves against the post atthe desired terminal position.

2. The kneeler defined in claim 1, in which damping means are providedfor controlling the movement of the kneeler toward each terminalposition in a controlled slow fashion.

3. The kneeler defined in claim 1, in which the post andlug each have acushion on the surface area of contact thereof.

4. In an article of furniture having a pair of relatively verticalmembers suitable for providing a support, in combination, a swingablesupport device pivotally mounted on said vertical members for swingingmovement between a substantially horizontal position and a higherposition close to the vertical, said support device comprising a memberproviding a support surface,

a pair of arms carried on said member and extending from one sidethereof, each of said arms including a brace at the end opposite themember,

a pair of elongated support plates mounted in opposed positions on thepair of vertical members, each of said support plates and brace beingpivotally connected for providing the pivotal mounting of the supportdevice, and

a stop means on each associated support plate and brace for limiting thepivotal movement of the support device in at leat one direction;

said stop means, comprising a first element carried on the brace ofrotational movement as the brace is pivoted and a second element carriedon the support plate in a fixed position,

said first and second elements having surfaces adapted to contact at thedesired terminal position.

5. The article defined in claim 4, in which the first 3,107,122 10/1963Jacobi 297-426 elilfnent g g i 651011 have a cushion at the 3,190,6956/1965 Jacobi T. 297-426 su acea ape omaeconac.

6. The alticle defined in claim 4, in which the first 6/1965 Hahnlem297426 element is a post carried on the support plate below the 535398988 8/1968 Noe 29-7426 pivot posltlon, and the second element 1s 2.lug. CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner References Cited Us. Cl- XIR.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,074,757 1/1963 Weagle 297-426 X 10

